Apparatus for manufacturing paper yarn



Nov. 19, 1963 H. L. SAIN ETAL 3,111,000

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING PAPER YARN Filed Aug. 13, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS H/wom LSA/N -N/LLIAM L/ H066 ,4 fTOQ V Y Nov. 19, 1963 H. SAIN ETAL APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING PAPER YARN Filed Aug. 13, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS H/wow L. 614/! l 1 f; L.

Nov. 19, 1963 H. 1.. SAIN ETAL 3,111,000

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING PAPER YARN Filed Aug. 15, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IAII llllllllllll |III|IIIIHI| I UINVENTORS H/IIPOLD L. SAM Alma/m J HOGG- Nov. 19, 1963 H. L. SAIN ETAL 3,111,000

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING PAPER YARN Filed Aug. 13, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS l /AQOLD L541! MLL/AM HOGG Arrow/5y United States Patent C) 3,111,000 APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING PAPER YARN Harold L. Sain and William J. Hogg, Hazlehurst, Ga., as-

signors to Patchogue-Plymouth Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 13, 1962, Ser. No. 216,601 12 Claims. (Cl. 57-32) This invention relates generally to the manufacture of paper yarn, and more particularly to a system for slitting a broad web of paper into ribbons which are then twisted into yarn.

The conventional practice in manufacturing paper yarn is to convey a web of paper drawn from a roll into a cutting mechanism which slits the web into individual strips or ribbons, the ribbons being led by spreaders to a multiple spindle twister where they are twisted into yarn. In order to facilitate twisting, it is the usual practice to wet and soften the ribbons just before they enter the twister. It has also been known to apply moisture to the web before it enters the cutting rolls so as to a low for absorption time before the paper arrives at the twister mechanism.

The practice of moistening the paper before it is slit renders slitting more diflicult and tends to dull the cutting blades. On the other hand, to moisten the ribbons just before twisting is also disadvantageous, since excessive amounts of liquid are necessary to ensure proper moistening, and this gives rise to breakage.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved technique and apparatus for fabricating paper yarn.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a paper yarn manufacturing system in which an emulsion is applied to the paper immediately after it is slit into ribbons, whereby the paper ribbons are both toughened and lubricated to facilitate subsequent spreading and twisting.

Also an object of the invention is to provide a system of the above type, in which the propulsion roll which pulls the paper from the supply roll and the rolls feeding the ribbons into the twister mechanism are synchronized to avoid tensioning and rupture of the paper ribbons.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vacuum conveying arrangement for the paper ribbons which conveys even broken ribbons, to prevent disruption of the operation.

Briefly stated, these objects are accomplished in a paper yarn manufacturing system constituted by a cutter section and a twister section. In the cutter section, a web drawn from a paper roll is conveyed into a cutting mechanism which subdivides the web into ribbons, the ribbons being then wet by a lubricating emulsion before being spread. In the twister section, the spread ribbons from the cutter section are distributed to a multiplicity of spindles, and the pre-wet ribbons are again moistened before entering the feed rolls of the twisters. The feed rolls in the twister section are synchronized with the propulsion roll in the cutter section which acts to draw the web from the paper roll into the cutter mechanism.

For a better understanding of the invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description to be read in conjunction wtih the accompanying drawings, wherein like components are identified by like reference numerals. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan View of a paper yarn making system in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another embodiment of a system in accordance with the invention;

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FIG. 4 is a side view of the system shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 separately shows a modified pneumatic conveyor for use in the system of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 shows an alternative means for pre wetting the paper.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the entire system in accordance with the invention, the system is made up on two main sections, namely, a cutter section (on the right side of the figures) and a twister section (on the left side of the figures).

The cutter section includes a roll of paper A, supported on a shaft and held in position thereon by suitable arbors. The broad and dry paper web WA, which is drawn from the roll, is threaded over an idler roll B and passes through a cutter assembly in the form of a driven roll C having annular blades thereon which cooperate with a platen ro-ll C to slit the web into a multiplicity of ribbons RA of like width.

When the web from paper roll A is wider than the sum of the widths of the required number of ribbons, a cutting wheel may be provided to engage the edge of the web so as to trim this edge to the proper width before slitting takes place.

To pre-wet the ribbons before they are spread for conveyance into the twister, the parallel ribbons RA pass over a driven wet roll D which is immersed in a trough E containing a suitable emulsion, such as a paraffin solution in a penetrating and wetting agent. The pre-wet ribbons are then conveyed under a leveling roll F through separators G, constituted by an array of parallel fins which are spaced to keep the ribbons from entangling or overlapping before they reach a propulsion roll.

From the separator fins G, the several ribbons all go over a first idler roll H then around the driven propulsion roll I, and from there over a second idler roll H Upon leaving the second id'ler roll, the ribbons are guided by means of vertical spools K rotatably mounted at spaced positions on an adjustable V-shaped structural frame L which acts to align the various ribbons with all parts of the twister assembly. Where a large number of spindles is included in the twister, the spreading angle must be quite large, but such spreading is facilitated by the lubrication of the yarns.

The twister is constituted by two banks of spindlespools R and R above which are rotatbly supported the front feed rolls Q and Q respectively. The ribbons are fed into the front rolls for alternative distribution to the two banks of spindles, by means of upper guide spools M, which direct the ribbons to two sets of lower guide spools N1 and N2.

Guide spools N lead alternate ribbons to the front rolls Q; for winding on the twister spools R while guide spools N lead the remaining ribbons to the front rolls Q for winding on the twister spools R Each ribbon at the Q or Q roll is twisted and wound on the associated spool R or R which is placed over and driven by the twister spindles.

Situated between the lower guide spools N and N and the front rolls Q and Q are wetting rolls P and P respectively, which are immersed in treatment troughs and act to supply additional moisture to the pre-wet ribbons before twisting takes place.

The pre-wetting of the ribbons in the cutter section acts to condition the paper fibers so that time is allowed for absorption of the moisture, whereby the ribbons are more easily and uniformly wetted at the treatment trough. The pre-wetting also improves the troughness factors of the paper. In addition, as pointed out previously, the prewetting facilitates the efiicient spreading of the paper ribbons before they enter the twister, for where a large number of spindles (such as 120) is involved, the spreading angle is substantial.

The wet roll D and the slitting roll C are both driven by a motor which is coupled to a gear reduction unit 11 to operate adjustable V belts 12 and 13 coupled to the respective rolls.

The emulsion level in the trough E for the wet roll D is controlled from a tank 14 into which the emulsion is fed from a pipeline 15 through an automatic float valve 16. The same liquid levels are maintained in trough E and tank 14 by an intermediate fiow pipe 17. v

To eliminate tensioning of the paper ribbons, the system is arranged to effect synchronization of the propulsion roll I and the front rolls Q and Q of the twister, whereby the surface speeds of these rolls are coincident. The twister rolls are operated from a twister cylinder roll 18 mounted on a driven shaft 19 provided with a sprocket wheel 20. Sprocket wheel 20 is coupled by a sprocket chain 21 to a sprocket wheel 22, which in turn is coupled by a chain 23 to a sprocket wheel 24. This wheel is coupled by a chain 25 to a sprocket wheel 26', which in turn is coupled by chain 27 to sprocket wheel 23 mounted on a gear 29.

Gear 29 intermeshes with an intermediate gear 3%, which engages the drive gear 31 for the propulsion roll, the drive gear being provided with a sprocket wheel (not shown) which, through sprocket chain 32, is coupled to the sprocket wheel 33 mounted on the propulsion roll I.

The surface speed of the front twister rolls Q and Q is derived from standard gear ratios (not shown) of the twister, which determine the necessary speed of the twister cylinder 18 when related to the speed of front rolls Q and Q or vice versa. Tlhese gear ratios and the speeds resulting therefrom in turn determine the twist of the paper yarn, and this twist can be varied by changing the gear ratio of the twister. Hence a similar gear arrangement is incorporated in the cutter section, and may be changed as often as the twister gear ratio changes, to assure the same surface speeds of propulsion roll I and front twister rolls Q and Q Whenever a new gear is substituted in the twister sec tion to change the twist of the yarn by changing the front roll speed relative to the spindle speed, a corresponding gear is changed in the cutter section. This gear, which is gear 31, is driven by gears 29 and 30. The latter two gears have a fixed ratio and are mounted on jack shafts, gear 29 being operated from the sprocket transmission system leading to the driven shaft 19 in the twister section.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the paper roll A is mounted on a shaft 34 and held thereon by arbors 35. The tension and momentum of the mill roll is controlled by a magnetic brake 36 whose operation is governed by a powerstat 37 which regulates the field volt-age of the brake to compensate for changes in the diameter of the roll.

This is accomplished by means of a follower 39 which rides on the paper roll A, and is pivoted by means of arm 38 to a crank arm 40 mounted on a shaft 41. Also mounted on shaft 41 is a control arm 42 whose end is linked by a chain 43 to a sprocket 44 on the powerstat, rotation of the sprocket acting to vary the resistance of the powerstat. Thus a decrease in roll diameter, as sensed by the follower, effects a proportional rotation of shaft 41, which rotation is transmitted to the powerstat by the sprocket chain 43 to adjust the resistance thereof and thereby adjust the value of the braking action accord.- ingly.

Magnetic brake 36 is mounted on a jack shaft also carrying a gear 45. This gear is driven by a gear 46 engaging gear 47 mounted on shaft 34 of the paper roll. Gear 45 is changed only when gear of FIG. 2 is changed. The tension of the mill roll consequently is governed by the strength of the magnetic field within the fixed and rotating discs of brake 36 and its effect upon the gear-s 45, 46 and 47 is dictated by powerstat 37.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the paper ribbons are spread by a directional guide L having spools thereon. In lieu of this arrangement, FIGS. 3 and 4 show a system of pneumatic tubes Pn which act as guides and at the same time serve to hold the ribbons once they have ruptured at a point beyond the cutter section. These air tubes Pn also convey the broken ribbons and keep them separated over the critical distance traveled until an operator can attend to the break.

A high-velocity jet Pnj communicates with each pneumatic tube to blow in the direction of ribbon travel. This form of venturi acts to induce air into the entrance side of the pneumatic tube, which air conveys the ribbon with it. Feeding the high-velocity jet Pnj is a supply tube Pns leading to a suitable compressed air or high-velocity air supply.

In FIG. 5 there is shown a modification of the pneumatic tube arrangement, where in place of the directional upper spool M in the twister section, the tube Pn is provided with an extension Pnm taking the place of the di rectional spool and conveying the ribbon to the lower directional spool N.

FIG. 6 shows a modified form of system wherein the propulsion roll I is also used as a wet roll applicator, thereby doing away with the need for wet roll D in FIGS. 1 and 2. A nip roll N is used in conjunction with propulsion roll I to overcome slippage and provide uniform pull throughout the ribbon plane. The roll I may be wet by placing an emulsion trough directly thereunder, or by means of an applicator roll E immersed in a trough E Nip roll N is covered by a porous shell to absorb excessive emulsion from roll J, as well as making use thereof to wet the opposite sides of the ribbons. The applicator roll E when used, is also provided with a similar shell.

In summary, the system in accordance with the invention, comprises acutter section and a twister section, a wide paper web being slit in the cutter section into ribbons which are directed into the twister section. The surface speed of the propulsion roll in the cutter section is synchronized with the feed rolls in the twister section to prevent tensioning of the ribbons, and the ribbons are prewet, after being slit and before entering the twister section, the ribbons being again moistened just before being twisted. The paper web is therefore slit into ribbons while it is dry, and the ribbons are then pre-wet to allow the moisture to spread therethrough in advance of the application of moisture prior to twisting. In this way the paper ribbons are preconditioned, and at the twisting sec tion no more moisture need be added than is absolutely necessary to effect the desired softening before twisting.

The parafiin in the emulsion acts to lubricate the paper ribbons, and this facilitates spreading of the ribbons to the full angle necessary for a multiple-spindle twister having a large number of spindles, say Pre-wetting also conditions the paper fibers so that their toughness is improved to reduce breakage. Toughness is a product of tensile strength and elongation, and while wetting reduces tensile strength, it increases elongation to an extent resulting in greater toughness.

While there have been shown what are considered to be preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the essential spirit of the invention as defined in the annexed claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for manufacturing paper yarn, comprising a cutting mechanism, propulsion means continuously to convey a broad paper web through said cutting mechanism to slit the same into a plurality of ribbons, a twister section including a like plurality of spindles, means including feed rolls to convey said ribbons from said cutting mechanism to said spindles, means to pre-wet said ribbons with'a lubricating solution before they enter said twister section, and means to wet said ribbons before they enter said spindles.

2. Apparatus for manufacturing paper yarn, comprising a cutting mechanism, a propulsion roll continuously to convey a broad paper web through said cutting mechanism to slit the same into a plurality of ribbons, a twister section including a like plurality of spindles, means including feed rolls to convey said ribbons from said cutting mechanism to said spindles, means to pre-wet said ribbons with a lubricating solution before they enter said twister section, means to wet said ribbons before they enter said spindles, and means to synchronize the movement of said propulsion roll and said feed rolls.

3. Apparatus for manufacturing paper yarn, comprising a cutter section including a cutter mechanism, a propulsion roll, a spreader device, means to convey a paper web through said cutter mechanism to form a plurality of ribbons which are pulled by said propulsion roll and passed into said spreader device to separate said ribbons, and means to wet said ribbons with a lubricating emulsion before they enter said spreader device; and a twister section including a like plurality of spindles, means including feed rolls to convey said spread ribbons from said cutter section into said spindles, and means to again wet said ribbons before they enter said feed {0118.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, further including means to synchronize said propulsion roll and said feed rolls.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said emulsion is applied to said ribbons by a roll immersed in an emulsion bath positioned between said cutter mechanism and said propulsion roll.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said mulsion is applied to said propulsion roll.

7. Apparatus for manufacturing paper yarn, comprising a cutter section including a paper roll, a cutter mechanism, a wet roll immersed in .a lubricating emulsion, a spreader device, and means to convey a broad paper web from said paper 11'011 through said mechanism to form a plurality of ribbons which are passed along said wet roll to moisten the same and then about said propulsion roll into said spreader device to separate the moistened ribbons; and a twister section including a like plurality of spindles, and means including feed rolls to convey said spread ribbons from said cutter section into said spindles to effect twisting thereof into yarn, means disposed before said feed rolls to again wet said ribbons to facilitate twisting; and transmission means intercoupling said propulsion roll and said feed rolls to synchronize the operation thereof to prevent tensioning of said ribbons.

8. Apparatus as set forth by claim 7, wherein said spreader device is constituted by a V-shaped frame having a plurality of guide spools thereon at spaced positions to receive said ribbons.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said spreader is constituted by an array of pneumatic tubes.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said Wet roll is immersed in a lubricating emulsion contained in a trough fed through a pipeline having an automatic float valve therein to maintain the emulsion level in said trough constant.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, further including means responsive to the diameter of said paper roll to maintain a constant tension thereon.

12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, further including means to trim the edge of the paper roll whereby the total width thereof is equal to the combined widths of said ribbons.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,969,855 Richter et a1 Aug. 14, 1934 2,407,926 Hamilton Sept. 17, 1946 2,955,408 Marks Oct. 11, 1960 3,012,393 Shuttleworth et al Dec. 12, 1961 

1. APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING PAPER YARN, COMPRISING A CUTTING MECHANISM, PROPULSION MEANS CONTINUOUSLY TO CONVEY A BROAD PAPER WEB THROUGH SAID CUTTING MECHANISM TO SLIT THE SAME INTO A PLURALITY OF RIBBONS, A TWISTER SECTION INCLUDING A LIKE PLURALITY OF SPINDLES, MEANS INCLUDING FEED ROLLS TO CONVEY SAID RIBBONS FROM SAID CUTTING MECHANISM TO SAID SPINDLES, MEANS TO PRE-WET SAID RIBBONS WITH A LUBRICATING SOLUTION BEFORE THEY ENTER SAID 